Schoolboy shot himself after police questioned him over "sexual texts"

The Telegraph ^ | 6/14/2013 | Josie Ensor

[markomalley]

Charlie Booth, 16, was worried he would get into trouble after police visited to discuss sexual text messages he sent to a girl.

He was described as a “remarkable young man” by his headteacher at the prestigious £10,000-a-year Gads Hill School in Higham, Kent, set in the former home of Charles Dickens.

Charlie was found dead by his parents on March 8 at their home in Watling Street, Cobham, Kent.

The coroner ruled that Charlie took his own life.

Hours before his death police were called to the family's home between 6pm and 7pm to reports of text messages of a sexual nature being sent to a girl, the inquest at Gravesend's Old Town Hall heard.

Det Sgt Lee Neiles, of Kent Police, told the inquest: "She wanted them to stop.

"Nick (Charlie's father) gave him words of advice and they went to KFC in Valley Drive in Gravesend and Nick said he (Charlie) had to be careful about contacting young girls.

"They had a KFC but Charlie seemed withdrawn."

They returned home and Charlie went to his bedroom.

Around 10pm his mother Julia came back from an evening with her friends in Bluewater to hear about the complaints made against Charlie.

She told her son off and confiscated his mobile phone.

Around 30 minutes later while Mr and Mrs Booth were downstairs they heard a loud bang.

[Tammy8]

Not to mention many girls now send pictures of themselves wearing even less or nothing to boys, along with sexy messages. It seems to be a very confusing time for kids to grow up- everything goes, but then not really. If attention is wanted it is all good but if there is no interest in the person doing it then it is criminal...

[BitWielder1]

I learned manners from my parents and grandparents at HOME.

Same here. I did not realize until many years later how lucky I was.
Not everybody have that foundation. The schools are failing our kids in every respect. On purpose.

[verga]

The schools are failing our kids in every respect. On purpose.

When did we give up our responsibility as adults to make sure that children have manners before they go to school? When did teaching manners become the school responsibility?

[Resolute Conservative]

This is the way hollyweird has portrayed teenage life. If you can stomach to watch them, watch the shows on the Disney and Family Channel (suppose to be family oriented my butt). I don’t count the ones on MTV and such because they are just shi_t. Every show has teenagers emulating adult scenarios: affairs, overblown drama, confronting adult authority, parents being bff’s to their kids instead of parents, stupid and detached parents, multiple suitors (lack of a better word for whoring around), pregnancies, and a host of other stuff that most adults do not really ever encounter. It is this stupid idea promulgated that we have to expose them to everything to make them safe. BS. Even the so called young adult movies have the same drama.

We were wondering where our then 12-13 year old was getting some of her talking points and that is it. We shut that outlet down but the damage has been hard to reverse because some of the other kids she knows sees the same crap and talk about it.

[Tammy8]

I am glad my girls are grown, would hate to deal with all that. When they were growing up we barely had TV, just networks and bad reception with a long range antenna. We got satellite when they were in high school and I wasn’t thrilled with what was on for teens even then, I know it is worse now. I pray for my grandkids exposed to all that garbage and the mixed messages.

[BitWielder1]

When did teaching manners become the school responsibility?

Depends on who you ask. You and I are lucky we have/are parents who can do this.
If you ask a Liberal (Sebelius for example) parents are irrelevant.
You need a state controlled preschool to have any chance of not dropping out in third grade.
Yes she said that:
Sebelius: Kids 'So Far Behind' by 3rd Grade 'May As Well Drop Out'

[verga]

Depends on who you ask. You and I are lucky we have/are parents who can do this.

*WHEW* wiping brow. I thought for a second you were advocating this. For the record I am a public high school teacher and I live in Virginia.

These kids are born saying "Sir" and "Ma'am" (Occasionally I have to remind the ninth graders about "Please and thank you") But they hold doors open for the ladies and wait for the adults to enter the room.

[Mitch86]

Common phrasing over here. This morning, for example, I had a McDonalds and then for my tea I had a chip shop!

[Graybeard58]

Careful you don’t have to “go to hospital”.

[BitWielder1]

I thought for a second you were advocating this.

Not at all. I do advocate good schools that teach useful information.
I agree it's the parents responsibility to teach manners and values. I can't help but notice not every parent is up to the task. Not all kids are listening to their parents. Sometimes they need to hear it from more than one source before it sinks in.
What we DON'T need are schools or a society that work against good parents, teach the opposite or try to wash those values out of the kids. Or lay down rules that are befuddling and inconsistent. That's what seems to be happening.
If you are the kind of teacher you say you are, I commend you. We need more like you.